How do you feel about Melancon?

So Brandon Lyon has a well-timed two week (at least) vacation. How do you feel about that?

First, it’s important to know that Lyon has four saves. That’s all. And he’s the only pitcher for the Astros to record a save. That’s the worst in the National League, tied with the Reds for last, while the Astros’ eight blown saves are tied for last with the Cardinals (be sure to send a card to Nick Franklin.) So it’s not as though things can get much worse without Brandon Lyon – and here’s hoping the cyst that delayed his 2010 hasn’t returned.

That said, Mark Melancon was named as the Astros’ closer in Lyon’s absence. Earlier today at Astros County, we did a little tale of the tape, with many peripherals in Melancon’s favor – but remember: this is a guy who – one year ago – was a relief pitcher on the Yankees’ Triple-A team in Scranton-Wilkes Barre. And let’s be honest, if I asked you to name one person who lived in Scranton, that person would be Michael Scott.

The tale of the tape was favorable for Melancon compared to Lyon. Higher strikeout rate (6.9 to 4.0), lower batting average against (.233 to .389), lower BABIP (.292 to .417), better grounder-to-flyball rate (5.00 to 1.77). What does it mean? Melancon has simply been more effective in his appearances than Lyon, injury notwithstanding.

Lyon’s max fastball is the 112th-fastest fastball among relievers in all of baseball. And Melancon has the 2nd-highest fastball among relievers – before Jose Valdez rejoined team. Jeff Fulchino throws a fastball at an average of 93.6mph, while Melancon comes in at 92.1mph.

But the fact that, according to the Chronicle, there are some troubling things to consider:

1. Brandon Lyon had been getting treatment for “minor biceps tendinitis.”
2. Brad Mills said that he was unaware of any physical problems with Lyon.
3. But apparently, Mills (and likely) Ed Wade had been concerned about the lack of strength in Lyon’s shoulder.
4. After yesterday’s meltdown, Lyon gets sent to Houston for an MRI…
5. …and Yep! He’s injured. Fairly badly.

It seems as though, through my completely untrained medical opinion (and of course, I don’t have any journalistic training beyond Sam Rayburn High School either, so you get what you pay for), it could be 6-8 weeks before Lyon is back. After the last week, does it really matter?
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